Kala U-Bass unplugged volume?

[lokerola]

Hi there TB,

Question for you Kala U-Bass owners (or those who have tried one). How is the unplugged volume? I'm looking at getting one to jam with some friends who do acoustic jams unplugged. Do you think a Kala would be loud enough unplugged to hang with one or 2 acoustic guitars? I'm thinking perhaps a very small 10-20 watt practice amp might help cut through, but I've never heard a Kala live.

Thanks.

 

[mikezimmerman]

I just tried one out for the first time a couple days ago. Fun little bass, but definitely not enough unplugged volume to be heard against an acoustic guitar.

Mike

 

[Baird6869]

Do you think a Kala would be loud enough unplugged to hang with one or 2 acoustic guitars?

Not a chance.

Loud enough to play in your basement alone, but wont be heard with even one acoustic guitar.

 

[BassmanSBK]

Not only does it not project enough volume unplugged, but I doubt that it would have the same tone even if if were miced. The U-Bass is designed to be amplified through its pickups, period.

 

[Baird6869]

Not only does it not project enough volume unplugged, but I doubt that it would have the same tone even if if were miced. The U-Bass is designed to be amplified through its pickups, period.

+1.

It does sound great thru an amp though.

I actually played a few songs on my U Bass at a gig last year and it sounded great. I played Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and a Buckcherry song. Blew people away with the little thing....

 

[lokerola]

Thanks everybody.

 

[selowitch]

If that's the case, though, that you can barely hear it live, it seems like there's no point in getting the hollowbody version of the UBass and one might as well buy their solidbody basses.

 

[Dave W]

I'd suspect the construction would still have an impact on the amplified tone.

 

[fisticuffs]

The more expensive ones are louder than the cheap ones. But neither are loud enough to keep up with a tambourine much less and acoustic.

 

[selowitch]

The more expensive ones are louder than the cheap ones. But neither are loud enough to keep up with a tambourine much less and acoustic.

In any case, seems to me if you have to plug it in to be heard, you may as well buy a solidbody.

 

[Gorn]

Unless you're playing an upright, a guitarron, or an earthwood acoustic bass, your volume will be drowned out by the tiniest ukulele. The ubass is great, but no common ABG is useful in a band or live setting playing with other instruments. Also, the ubasses unplugged volume is significantly lower than normal acoustic basses. Though I'm sure the OP figured this out 2 years ago shortly after he asked.

 

[selowitch]

So why not just buy the solidbody?

 

[Gorn]

No reason not to. I hear good things. I play my acoustic live occasionally, but it's with me on the couch 90% of the time for noodling, so I wouldn't want a solid body. Plus I don't like any of the finishes on the cheaper sub solid bodies and the USA made California series, which are beautiful, cost over a grand.

 

[selowitch]

I think the low-cost solidbody would be an ideal backup to my Jazz Bass. Lightweight, doesn't knock into mic stands or cymbals (or people), easy to sing with.

 

[Gorn]

Do it. They're great. There's 6 megathreads of ubass discussion mostly worth reading. Lots of playing, stringing, and amplification tips.

 

[Dave W]

So why not just buy the solidbody?

Tone. The sound between a hollow body and a solid body is different, even thought they are both using the same piezo pickup. I've heard the hollow sounds like an upright many times, but I haven't heard the same of the solid body as often.

 

[selowitch]

Tone. The sound between a hollow body and a solid body is different, even thought they are both using the same piezo pickup. I've heard the hollow sounds like an upright many times, but I haven't heard the same of the solid body as often.

So what does the SB sound like, then?

 

[Gorn]

Great comparison btw the sub and Cali model. Headphones or great speakers are a must.

 

[selowitch]

Very cool!